1. Invasive Weeds

2. Outline 1.Damage 2.Why are these plants such bullies 3.What can you do 4.Jeoprady Flickr- iwona_kellie

3. Weed definition

4. Invasive weed a non-native plant whose introduction or spread threatens the environment, the economy, or society.

5. 486 invasive alien plant species in Canada (That’s 24% of national flora)

6. BC has 368 invasive plant species Alberta has 225 invasive plant species

7. Agricultural Crops 58% were brought here intentionally as: Research Purposes Landscape plants Ornamentals Medicinal Plants

8. Weeds in crops and pastures alone cost an estimated 2.2 billion annually in Canada

9. Why are weeds so good at being weeds?

10. Occupy very different habitats

11. Weeds easily adjust

12. Weeds easily reproduce

13. Incredible Longevity

14. Weeds seem unstoppable

15. Short generation time

16. Effective seed dispersal

17. Weed Pull

18. Capable of Poisoning its Neighbors

19. Often Armed or Toxic

20. Why is prevention the key?

21. What can you do?

22. Best Practices Clean Equipment before moving from an infested site Minimize disturbance =Manage materials like soil and gravel Coordinate and plan activities Control/remove invasive plants ID and report Invasive Plants Re-vegetate

23. Educate yourself and others on how to identify and control invasive plants Do not grow/buy invasive plants Report invasive weeds Free app for iphones and androids- www.reportaweedbc.ca

24. Questions? Elaine Armagost Invasive Plant Program Manager Peace River Regional District (250) 784-3227 invasiveplants@prrd.bc.ca